Tailwind Jungle Lodge Q&A!

Top questions: !How far is the lodge from San Pancho? Transportation? Do we need to bring our own drinking water? Does Tailwind provide food? What activities are available at the Tailwind jungle lodge? Are there bugs? How far is the lodge from the beach? Is the jungle safe for kids? !!Answers: !LOCATION. We are located approximately 3 miles north of the charming town of San Pancho (official name San Francisco). We are at the end of a lovely jungle road that parallels the coastline. It takes about 10 minutes to drive into San Pancho, or an hour to walk. !TRANSPORTATION. There are several transportation options. We strongly recommend that you rent a car either through www.geckorentcar.com or online through the Puerto Vallarta airport. Alternatively you can use a local taxi service (www.divatours.net). Of course, if you have your own car you’re welcome drive here! !WATER. Water out of the tap in Mexico is not drinkable. However, you do not need to bring your own drinking water. We will provide you with 5-gallon water jugs in your room. We do recommend that you bring a reusable water bottle with you to refill and take with you to the beach. !FOOD. All of the Tailwind Jungle Lodge accommodations include kitchenettes (except Palapa Gecko). Cooking up taco feasts in the jungle can be a lot of fun! There is a good little grocery store in San Pancho, wonderful weekly farmer’s market, fresh fruit/veggie stand and fresh fish market. If you would prefer not cook there is wide variety of restaurants in San Pancho, from tasty taco stands to fancy 4 star restaurants with exquisite cuisine. For groups of 6+ we have an excellent chef available to cook for you in the jungle. Please inquire about this option. Great for retreats and special events. !

ACTIVITIES. We offer a variety of adventure tours including: sea kayaking, hiking, surfing and Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP). These are fantastic ways to explore this spectacular coastline, read more here. Advanced reservation required. Yoga classes and massage are available by request. !BUGS. People are always amazed to arrive in the jungle and find that there are very few bugs! From October – May the jungle is dry and pretty much bug free. This is why we love this place! Regardless, all of the beds have cascading bug nets for sleeping (optional). We close in the summer months, June - September when the bugs come out to play. !BEACH. From the lodge it’s about a 20 minute walk along a lovely jungle trail to a deserted beach that will take your breath away. White sand, lush jungle and a special kind of therapeutic mud (bentonite mud) that is great for the skin!! Sunbathe, swim, picnic and enjoy a natural spa treatment . . . bliss, yup! It’s definitely worth the short hike. !KIDS. We’ve had many children of all ages visit the jungle and they’ve loved it! There are many steps and railings so children should be cautious and supervised. We love having families in the jungle! !!

!!!Please scroll down to see answers to questions in all of the following categories. !• Location • Facilities Information • Food & Dining • Activities • Climate & Jungle life • Services • Reservation Information !Still have questions? E-mail info@tailwindjunglelodge.com

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Airport & Location !Which airport do I fly into? You’ll want to fly into the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. !Are San Pancho and San Francisco the same place? San Pancho and San Francisco are the same town, San Pancho is the nickname for San Francisco. Where is the Tailwind Jungle Lodge in relation to the airport? We are located approximately 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, just outside of the town of San Pancho—about a 50 minute drive north on Highway 200. We are just outside of Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags) in the state of Nayarit. Once your reservation is confirmed we will send you detailed directions. See map here. !Where is the Tailwind lodge in relation to San Pancho? The lodge is located 3 miles north of San Pancho (official name San Francisco). The jungle road is a beautiful, winding, dirt road that parallels the coastline. This road takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes to drive or 1 hour to walk. If you’re feeling energetic it’s a lovely hike or run! A rental car is recommended for getting in and out of San Pancho. Taxi service is also available. !What is the best method of transportation? a) Rent a vehicle. We strongly recommend that you rent a car for your stay. This will give you much more freedom to explore, go into San Pancho for meals, visit beautiful beaches, surf breaks, etc. There are many rental car agencies online and at the Puerto Vallarta airport; U-save, National, Budget, etc. Our favorite local company is www.geckorentcars.com. It’s best to reserve a car in advance. Simple rental cars are approx. $35 - $45/day. It is an easy drive on the only highway heading north along the coastline (HWY 20). !b) Taxi Service. For groups and retreats, taking a van taxi to/from the airport to Tailwind is a good option an option. Taxis are approximately $170 USD roundtrip for a van of 8 people. For Taxi info, contact Pedro at the Diva Tours taxi service, www.divatours.net. Tell them that you’re headed to the Tailwind Jungle Lodge. They know where we are! !The Taxi service is also available to transport guests to and from the jungle to San Pancho for meals, activities, etc. Taxi into town is approx. 200 pesos one way. Transportation should be arranged in advance. !c) Public Bus. If you’re feeling adventurous, another way to get to Tailwind is to take the public bus north on Hwy 200, from Puerto Vallarta to San Pancho. (approx. 50 pesos/person). Once in San Pancho you will then need to take a taxi to the Tailwind Lodge (approx. 2oo pesos). Note that taking the bus is the longest

option and requires some patience! !If I rent a car, does it need to be 4wheel drive? In the dry season (October to May), 4x4 is not necessary. The road may be a bit bumpy, but a regular car is fine. From June – Oct. the road may be impassible without a 4wheel drive vehicle. ! !

Facilities Info !How many people maximum can the Tailwind Lodge accommodate? We can accommodate groups of up to 14 people in their own beds (up to 16 if you have couples sharing queen beds). The cost for 6 units, 1 yoga platform, and a dipping pool is $700/night. Group discounts are available. !Individual units are available for rent (great for couples, families, etc). Our largest casita can sleep up to 5 people. !Please visit the “Lodging” page of our website for more information on our variety of accommodations. !What is the difference between a bungalow, a casita and a palapa? !Palapas: We have 2 palapas: Palapa Tigre & Palapa Gecko. The palapas are a lovely jungle experience with a Swiss Family Robinson type feel. Palapas are open air with ¾ walls, thatched roves, wooden railings and tile floors. The Palapas share a kitchen (Palapas must be rented together). More info about our palapas here. !Casitas: We have 2 casitas (means “small house” in Spanish)- Casita Tejone & Casita Pumita. For those who prefer to be in a more enclosed space, the Casitas are an excellent choice. Both Casitas have bedrooms with wooden/glass doors that can be closed. More info about our casitas here. !Bungalows: We have 2 bungalows: Bungalow Parota & Bungalow Chiche (named after the type of wood they were built from). Both bungalows are fully furnished canvas safari tents on wooden platforms. Bungalows have a tree house type feel. Great for adventurers looking for a unique jungle experience! More info about our bungalows here. !Are Tailwind’s facilities suitable for young children? This is a jungle, and as with any wild place there are always risks for young children. Our units have high decks and our property is quite steep with many steps. However, there have

been many children of all ages who have stayed with us and loved it! We love having families here! Please inquire about which of our accommodations are best suited for your family’s needs. Family discounts may be available. !Does Tailwind have electricity? Yes, we have electricity here. All of our accommodations have electrical lights

and standard outlets. You will be able to charge any personal electronics. We try to minimize electricity use as much as possible. It is a good idea to bring a headlamp or flashing for additional light when navigating the path to your bungalow, palapa or casita at night. It’s always a good idea to watch where you’re stepping! !Does Tailwind provide towels? Yes, we provide each of our guests with one beach and one bath towel for their stay. Guests only receive one set of towels and sheets per guests each week (to minimize water usage). !Cleaning Service For small groups the maid will come through every few days (daily maid service is available by special request). For larger retreats and groups a maid comes every other day between 9 am – noon. !Is there a place to keep my valuables at Tailwind where they will be safe? We have never had a theft problem at Tailwind, however each of our units do have either locking closets or chests for you to store your valuables during your stay.!

Food & Dining !What to eat? The Tailwind Lodge does not provide food and does not have a restaurant on site. All of our units have their own kitchenettes. Making taco feasts can be fun! There is a fish market, fruit stands and small grocery store in San Pancho. There are also many wonderful restaurants in San Pancho, from basic taco stands to 4 star. !Chef services. We have excellent chef available for groups

of 6+ people (great for retreats and special events), please inquire. Check out this short video of jungle dining! . Yum. !What is a kitchenette and what does it include? Each unit (casita, bungalow or palapa), with the exception of Palapa Gecko, has its own kitchenette. The kitchenettes are basic kitchens, which include a fridge, stove, pots, pans, plates, glasses, cutlery, etc. !The main kitchens are in Palapa Tigre and Casita Pumita. These kitchens are larger and have more appliances (blender for margaritas!) and ovens. !Restaurants in San Pancho? San Pancho has a lovely range of restaurants, from tasty taco stands to fine dining. We highly recommend eating out in San Pancho at least once during your stay! Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the beach and then decide what kind of food you fancy! Definitely ask us about our favorite San Pancho restaurants. !!!

Activities !What is there to do at the Tailwind Jungle Lodge? A joke around the Tailwind headquarters is that “there is so much not to do!”. Whether you’re looking to lounge in the hammock or hit the waves, there’s something for everyone! !To do in the jungle: !• Take a dip in the pool and sunbathe • Hike (range from 20 min. to 2 hours) • Visit the orchid plantation (30 minute hike from the lodge) • Yoga class* (feel free to stretch and do your own yoga on the platform anytime!) • Massage* • Bird watching tour* • Watch the wildlife, there’s a lot to look at! • Hike to San Pancho (3 miles into town) !* Reservation required. !!!!!!!

Adventure! Sea kayaking, SUP, Hiking. Adventure tours include sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), hiking and surfing. These tours are great for all ages and levels and the Jacobi family will be your guides. We look forward to getting you out on the water! More info & photos here.

!Yoga & Massage. Yoga in the jungle is bliss! You’re welcome to use our yoga palapa any time. If you have your own yoga or meditation practice, please go for it! There are yoga mats available for you at the yoga palapa. To find the yoga palapa follow the trail beyond the Casita Pumita. If you’d prefer to have some guidance, please inquire about private or group yoga classes. There are a variety of teachers (mostly hatha, vinyasa and restorative styles) available to teach in the jungle. Classes range in price depending on the size of the group. !Interested in a massage? There are massage studios in San Pancho as well as a masseuse who is available to come to the jungle. Massage is approx. $60/hour (USD). Prices may vary, please inquire at the office and be sure to reserve several days in advance. !What else is there to do in the San Pancho area? Whale watching, sea turtle non-profit, deep sea fishing, surfing lessons, snorkeling around the Marietta Islands, zip-lining, mountain biking, and more! !Cultural excursions: San Pancho & Sayulita Farmer’s market, tour around EntreAmigos (local community center/non-profit for kids), explore the petroglyphs by Alta Vista, watch sea turtles being released by the San Pancho Tortuga protection organization. !Dinning in San Pancho: San Pancho has a lovely range of restaurants, from breakfast to dinner, taco stand to 4 star restaurants. Enjoy a sunset cocktail on the beach and then decide what kind of food you fancy! Ask the Tailwind staff for recommendations!

!Popular Towns near San Pancho: Sayulita (nightlife, surf break, trendy/hippy style town), Puerto Vallarta (restaurants, boardwalk, shopping), Yelapa (town accessed only by boat), San Blas (crocodiles, bird watching, culture). !

Community!What is EntreAmigos? We highly recommend checking out our community center! EntreAmigos is a local non-profit that serves as a children’s educational center and community center. The building alone is creative and unique! Definitely worth a visit. The gift shop sells local arts and crafts. EntreAmigos offers classes that include Spanish, English, nutrition, arts and more. EntreAmigos also manages all the recycling for the community of San Pancho. You can read more at http://entreamigos.org.mx/ !EntreAmigos has made a tremendous difference in the community of San Pancho. Past guests and retreats at the Tailwind Jungle Lodge have generously contributed donations of school supplies, clothing, etc. Please let us know if you might be interested in donating or volunteering at EntreAmigos during your stay. !!!!

Climate & Jungle Life !What are the seasons like in the Mexican Pacific jungle? The rainy season (hot, humid, wet) is from June to early October. This part of Mexico sees very little rain from Nov. through April. Though the occasional rain storm may come through, the sun generally shines on the jungle all through the wintertime. During this time, daytime temperatures are around 80 -90 ºF. Evening temperatures can be 65 º- 70 º F. A sweater and pants in the evenings feels good, especially after a day of sun. !How are the mosquitoes? We're lucky because this is a wonderfully tame jungle with very few bugs, particularly in the dry season (the dry season is from November to June when the Jungle Lodge is open for guests). Occasionally around sunset you may see a couple of bugs, but not many. People who are sensitive will want to have bug spray handy just in case. Also, when hiking along jungle trails bug spray is a good idea. That said, bugs are not much of a factor at the Tailwind Jungle Lodge. However, for your comfort, we have cascading bug

nets to surround all beds so that sleeping is carefree. What about the wildlife? The jungle is home to many species of wildlife: birds, iguanas, geckos, tejones (kind of like monkey/raccoons), squirrels, frogs, armadillos, and insects. These animals are friendly, but are very curious about your food. Proper food storage is essential! Food needs to be locked away in designated areas. Guests should also be aware that scorpions are around, but they are very rare and there is no need to fear. The scorpions in this area are not deadly. !!Recommended Packing List (beyond the usual tropical vacation gear) !• Biodegradable soap (Dr. Bronner’s type recommended) Shampoo,

Conditioner, Body Wash . . . Anything that goes down the drain waters the plants so make it biodegradable!!!

• Insect repellent (insects are not a problem unless you go hiking through narrow jungle trails, always good to have repellent just in case)

• Flashlight/headlamp (for additional light on trails at night) • Sturdy walking shoes for walking and hiking around the area • Sunscreen, the sun is strong here and sunscreen is very expensive in San

Pancho • Warm clothing for cool nights (pants and sweater in Dec./Jan/Feb) • Ear plugs (if the birds are too loud for you!) • Binoculars (if you’re into that kind of thing) • Tevas or chaco sandals • A rash guard (if you have one and want to surf) • Don’t forget your camera! !

Services !Wifi & phones. It’s crazy, but yes, we do have wifi in the jungle! That said, we hope that you will take this opportunity to disconnect and enjoy a technology detox! If you do need to get online during your stay you’re welcome to sit outside the office so you can pick up the wifi signal. You can connect to the signal that says “Jungle Office”, please ask for the password. Wifi here works only for checking e-mail and browsing simple websites. We have limited downloads (no streaming music, movies or video skype please). Internet signal fluctuates throughout the day, it’s a satellite internet system that can be affected by weather. There are also many wifi spots and and internet cafes in San Pancho. !

Cell phone service in the jungle is minimal, but is available if you stand in a certain spot (sprint/telcel work much better than verizon). The pool deck is a good place to look for cell signal. !Is there an ATM in San Pancho? There are currently 2 ATMs in San Pancho, one is at the El Indio Grocery store (we recommend this one). However, these ATMs can be unreliable at busy times of year, so it’s best to bring money with you. It is recommended that you exchange American dollars to pesos at the Puerto Vallarta airport, or prior to your visit to Mexico. There are no banks in San Pancho and most local businesses do not take credit cards (some fancier restaurants do). !Time Zone. San Pancho (in the state of Nayarit) is in the same time zone as Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco). Please note that a few years ago, San Pancho switched from the mountain time zone to the central time zone. Your devices that connect to the cell phone network will definitely be confused! Please set your clock to central time and turn off automatic updates. If you are scheduled for kayaking or SUP we appreciate your promptness! !Safety and emergency medical situations. San Pancho has a very clean and efficient hospital right in town. Hospital is open for emergencies 24/7. Ambulance service is also available.

!Reservation Info !

How do I reserve my stay? Please e-mail info@tailwindjunglelodge.com for information on how to reserve your stay in the jungle. Advanced reservation is required. Large groups in particular should reserve many months in advance in order to ensure availability of all units. Tailwind is a small lodge and we fill up quickly, particularly in the high season. For individual reservations we require a 50% payment for reservation with the remainder due 1 month prior to your stay. Please inquire about retreat reservations. !

Still have questions? Please e-mail info@tailwindjunglelodge.com We look forward to sharing this natural paradise with you! !